Adam Rittenberg, senior writer for ESPN
Marshall Officials have notified the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl that the Thundering Herd will not be allowed to compete, sources tell ESPN, after a wave of players recently entered the transfer portal amid a coaching change.
The Thundering Herd, which had won the Sun Belt Conference title, was scheduled to face the AAC champion Army December 28 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Marshall coach Charles Huff left for the same position at Lady of the South the day after the Sun Belt title game after failing to reach an agreement with the school on a new contract. The Herd quickly hired NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson to replace Huff. Faces of the army Navy later on Saturday.
Louisiana Technology ESPN sources say he will replace Marshall as Army’s opponent.
As of Saturday morning, Marshall has 36 players in the transfer portal, including 29 scholarship players and 17 Sun Belt title-fighting players. All three Thundering Herd quarterbacks who have played this season are in the portal, including the starter Braylon BraxtonSun Belt Newcomer of the Year.
No more defense Mike GreenSun Belt Player of the Year, entered in Friday’s NFL draft. Several Marshall employees also left, some joining Huff at Southern Miss.
ESPN’s Max Olson, Chris Low and Pete Thamel contributed to this report.
